Singapore: Global Gateway Summer 2025 (Reflections)
Jake B: Final Reflections
As our program comes to an end, I’m thinking back to our first day when we landed and took the bus into the city center and how astonished I was at the fact that I was in Singapore. Since then, I’ve thought a lot about this program and how the variety of activities I’ve done has shaped my experience. From walking through the mangrove forests at Pulau Ubin, watching a fireworks show in front of the Marina Bay Sands, or enjoying an indigenous martial arts showcase, every moment felt unique.
Before arriving, I was expecting Singapore to mostly be a metropolis with nature scattered about due to its limited size, but I was very wrong. The city itself was so diverse, in terms of architecture, food, people, and experiences. I think one of my favorite parts about my time in Singapore was the amount of nature scattered within the city, as well as the nature reserves and preserved rainforests scattered throughout the island. It’s such a simple addition to the city but it adds so much charm and makes it feel like you’re walking through the rainforest when going to class. Additionally, the whole country felt different depending on each place I went to. For a country one fourth the size of Rhode Island, this surprised me a lot. It was refreshing, as it didn’t feel like a big, uniform city.
Overall, I believe each excursion we had as a class allowed us to see a different aspect of the city-state and shaped my understanding of the country in a way I would’ve never been able to had I not been on this program. It was very enlightening to learn about nearly every aspect of Singapore, from the infrastructure to the government to the rich history of its land, each lesson formed an important role in my understanding of the fascinating country of Singapore.
Chloe F: Final Reflections
Much of life in Singapore felt surreal. Even after spending a few weeks here, I found myself reflecting on how people’s day-to-day lives differ from those in the United States.
On June 25, we visited Punggol, the hometown of our tour guide, Paul. We were originally supposed to visit the housing board, but he requested to show us his neighborhood instead, and I’m glad he did. During the tour, he explained how neighborhoods are constructed in Singapore to include everything a person could need in one area.
As we walked around, we passed a children’s daycare, a library, a playground, a financial services office, and a hawker center. I also noticed signs for a swimming pool and a blood donation center. Paul explained that Toa Payoh, one of Singapore’s first satellite towns, was used as a model to test ideas for future neighborhoods. Seeing how everything is so carefully designed is admirable, though it also feels restrictive at times.
It made me think about how neighborhoods are planned in the United States. While we have suburbs and cities designed by planners, the term “social engineers” isn’t commonly used. There is often more flexibility, and development tends to follow demand rather than strict long-term planning.
The Global Gateway experience in Singapore has deepened my appreciation for different approaches to urban life. There is beauty in both Singaporean and American lifestyles. Experiencing day-to-day life here through excursions and cultural immersion has reaffirmed my desire to keep traveling and learning. There is so much to see around the world, and I am grateful for the opportunity to experience Singapore alongside UW–Madison students.
Rae J: Memories
Singapore has provided me with not only lifelong memories and experiences but also lifelong friends. Coming into this program, I was not sure what to expect, but this experience has been better than I could have ever imagined. Some of my favorite memories are simply spending time with new people and trying new things. While it is difficult to choose just one, some of my favorite memories include visiting Chinatown, zip-lining, exploring Pulau Ubin, spending the day at Universal Studios, and immersing myself in Singaporean culture. One particular memory I often think about is the day we visited the Funan rooftop garden on top of a mall. We decided to go here on a whim, but it ended up being one of my most treasured memories. We were able to see the skyline, which included an abundance of buildings, skyscrapers, lights, the Singapore Flyer, and one of the main highways in Singapore. I will never forget that view. The conversations I had with the people I was with while looking over the ledge brought me a great deal of peace. We talked about our past experiences and futures. Another memory I am very fond of is when we visited the Gardens by the Bay. This was at the beginning of our program and was the first time we all started to get to know each other. It is crazy to think how much we have learned and changed since then. Additionally, exploring the city and trying new foods is an experience I will miss. The cheap and fresh food has made meals very easy and accessible in Singapore. The Hawker Centers are a great place to get food at a reasonable price, often under $5. I was able to try many new dishes, several of which I will miss. Even getting lost on the MRT and getting off at the wrong station is a memory I deeply cherish. My friend and I were doing circles in the train station, trying to find our way to the correct train. After asking two workers and a local, we finally found our way to the correct train. Finding our way back to the hotel late at night was a bit nerve-wracking, but worth the adventure. Experiencing a new country with like-minded individuals is something I will never be able to live up to again. Overall, I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and to have met so many great people.
